Collapsible bath-tub.



N0.744,745. PATENTED.NOV'.'24,1903.

I W. G. GITTINGS.

GOLLAPSIBLE BATH TUB.

' APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7, 1897.

NO MODEL.

, WITNESSES. I INVENTOR.

tit. mas.

UNITED STAT S- Ilatented blovember 24, IQOS PATENT ()FFICE.

COLLAPSIBLE BATH-TUB.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,745, dated November 24, 1903. Application filed September 7, 1897. $erialNo. 650,752.v (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. GITTINGS, a

citizen of theUnited States, residing at Racine,

' act description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference be ing had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in the construction of collapsible bath-tubs; and it consists in the matters hereinafter described,and pointed out in the appendedclaims.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved form of collapsible bath-tub of such construction as to be firm and substantial when in position for use and capable of being rolled up into a compact bundle when not in use.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure l is a perspective View of the form of my improved device which is designed for use by adults. Fig. 2 is a simi lar view of the form designed for use in bathing infants. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the tub proper and illustrates the method of folding the flexible material to form a seamless tub.

Referring'by letter to said drawings, A designates the water-containing basin or receptacle of the bath-tub, which is made from a single sheet of flexible and Waterproof material suitably shaped to enable it by being folded to form a substantially rectangular tub, such as is illustrated in the drawings. In practiceI find it convenient to make the sheet of material which forms the tub approximately rectangular in shape and provide it at or adjacent to its four corners with folds a a, which enable the edges of the flexible sheet to be so disposed as to lie smoothly and the side and end walls of the bath-tub'to remain smooth and even. As illustrated in the drawings, and more particularly in Fig. 3, the folds a a are conveniently arranged so as to present a smooth surface from end to end of the side walls of the tub, the said folds being arranged so as to permit the water to run freely from the tub without accumulating in or between the folds.

In order to afford a firm and substantial support for the bath-tub, side rails B B are providedfto which the upper side edges of the flexible tub are secured, the upper edges of the ends being'left free and unattached to anything rigid.

Suitable folding legs are attached to the ends of the side rails B B, said legs being constructed and arranged as shown in the drawings, the legs at each end being arranged in a substantially X form and-pivotally secured together at their central parts, the upper ends of said legs being likewise pivotally secured to the ends of the side rails. One of the legs, (3, is made in one piece, provided at its upper end with a suitable shackle c, by which it is pivoted to the end of the side rail B, while the other leg, D, is made in two sections (1 and d, secured together by suitable metallic plates, suitably shaped to form an ofiset corresponding with the thickness of the leg 0, the ends of the parts (1 and d being spaced between the metal plates, so as to permit the passage of the leg 0 between said ends, and the leg 0 is pivotally secured between said plates by a bolt or rivet c. It

follows from this construction that when the' legs are spread, as in Figs. 1 and 2, the flexible tub A will be held open, as indicated in said figures. The joint between the pivoted legs 0 and D is so constructed that when the legs are in the positions shown in the drawings the strain will be borne entirely by the joint, the offset ends of the parts at and d abutting against the sides of the leg 0, and

thus preventing strain on the ends of the flexible tub. In the large-sized tub for use by adultbathers the legs are made of such length proportionate to their spread that the lower part of the tub will rest upon the floor, and thereby relieve the frame of nearly all of the weight. By this construction and arrangement the device is made available for use by heavy persons without danger of the flexible tub being torn or pulled loose from the frame and without strain upon the frame or legs. In the smaller or infants tub, however, it is desirable to make the legs higher proportionately, and it is entirely safe to have the entire weight of the tub, its contents,

and the bather supported by the legs and frame. In this form of my improved device the construction is substantially like that already described, excepting that the legs are higher and the tub smaller.

It may be desirable in order to afford greater stability to the frame to provide suitable braces at or adjacent to the corners-such, for instance, as latches E, pivoted to either the legs or the side rails and adapted for detachable engagement with the other part, as shown more particularlyin Fig. 2. This brace is more especially applicable to the form in which the weight is supported clear of the floor, as where the weight or a great part of it rests on the floor there is not the liability of straining the legs or side rails.

When it is desired to use my improved form of bath-tub, the same is set up as indicated in the drawings, the desired amount of water is poured into the tub, and after the user has bathed the tub may be very readily and easily emptied by simply tilting it and permitting the water to run out at one end.

\Vhen desired, the device may be compactly rolled up by bringing the two side rails together, folding the legs longitudinally against them, and then wrapping the depending flexible tub around the same.

As a matter of convenience I prefer to provide at convenient points on the frame suitable tie straps or tapes 0 e, by which the device may be readily secured in its rolled-up condition.

My improved device forms a very simple, strong, and durable form ofcollapsible bathtub which when in use is quite substantial and which when rolled up will occupy less room than other devices of this character.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. Acollapsiblebathtubcomprisingafolding water-containing basin or receptacle made of flexible material, side rails to which the upper edges of said basin are attached, and folding legs pivoted to each other between their ends and pivotally connected at their upper ends to said side rails so as to fold crosswise and longitudinally of the side rails, one leg of each pair being composed of sections spaced apart at their adjacent ends and olfset one from the other and having a plate connection one with the other, and the other leg passing between the oifset sections where they are joined by the said connection so that the inner ends of said sections will bear against opposite faces of the interposed leg when the tub is spread, substantially as described.

2. A collapsible bath-tub comprising a folding water-containing basin or receptacle made of flexible material, side rails to which the upper edges of said basin are attached, and folding legs pivoted to each other between their ends and pivotally connected at their upper ends to said side railsso as to fold crosswise and longitudinally of the side rails, one leg of each pair being composed of sections spaced apart at their adjacent ends and offset one from the other, and having a plate connection one with the other, to permit the other leg to pass between the offset sections and bear against the ends of the sectional leg when the tub is spread, the upperends of the cross-legs being connected to the side bars by shackles pivotally connected thereto and formed to permit the side bars to rest against the ends of the cross-legs when the tub is spread, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM G. GI'ITINGS.

Witnesses:

JOHN E. WILES, GRACE M. BRYCE. 

